Alberta’s beef producers favour refundable service charge

By Janet Kanters Times Contributor

It was a close vote for Alberta’s beef producers in a plebiscite to determine if their check-off should continue to be refundable or become non-refundable.
Between Oct. 19 and Nov. 27, 1,874 votes were cast by producers, with 962 votes (51.3 per cent) in favour of a refundable service charge model and 908 votes (48.5 per cent) in favour of a non-refundable service charge model. Four ballots were spoiled.
“We would have liked to see more producers vote in the plebiscite, but we appreciate the interest and effort of those who did vote,” said Charlie Christie, Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) chair in a news release. “In a democracy, decisions are made by the people who participate and as we’ve said all along, Alberta Beef Producers will honour the decision made by producers and the service charge will remain refundable.”
ABP has issued over $20 million in refunds since 2010 and according to ABP, many producers believe this money would generate greater benefits if invested in industry initiatives.
The basis for the pursuit of a non-refundable check-off was a plan to create the Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund (ABIDF). The fund would support the beef industry through strategic investments of producer check-off dollars in research and technology transfer, market development, education, consumer advocacy and industry collaboration. The return to a non-refundable service charge would provide approximately $1.4 million annually in funding for the ABIDF.
“While we wish the results were in favour of a non-refundable service charge and would have liked to see a higher voter turnout, ACFA respects the decision of producers that voted,” said Ryan Kasko, ACFA chair. “We will continue to work hard to strengthen industry collaboration and create efficiencies regardless of the outcome.”